One day, a happily-wed couple in their sixties were seated underneath the dappled shade of an old oak tree, planning their fourtieth wedding anniversary , when suddenly, a Faerie alighted on the table.

"As a gift to you both for having such a long and happy marriage, I am granting you each one wish", she said, twinkling around a tiny, feather-tipped wand.

"Oh , wonderful!" said the wife. "I wish for....a lovely anniversary holiday on an beautiful tropical island"

"Granted, with pleasure" said the Faerie.

"Well, I am sorry if this disappoints or upsets you" , said the husband.  "But seeing as this chance will probably never come around again, I wish for a wife thirty years younger than me, so that I can really enjoy the rest of my life."

The wife and the Faerie exchanged glances. The Faerie replied, "Well, a wish is a wish, and can't be undone."

At this, the man grinned from ear to ear, and accordingly, the Faerie waved her magic wand.

In the next instant, he turned ninety-three years old.